VILLA TARANTO, VERBANIA, CANNERO and CANNOBIO

Transfer from the hotel by private coach to Verbania for a guided tour of Villa Taranto, one of Italy’s richest botanical gardens and a major tourist attraction on Lake Maggiore. Transformed in 1931 by Scottish Captain Neil McEacharn, it has over 20,000 varieties of plants, many rare, imported from all over the world. The garden covers an area of 20 hectares and is crossed by 7 km of paths. An uninterrupted show of spectacular blooms dazzles visitors from April to October. The tour lasts about 2 hours. 

Back to Pallanza for lunch on your own and time to stroll along the lakeside promenade; admire the 16th century Church of San Leonardo, the Mausoleum of General Cadorna and the views across the water. 

In the afternoon re-board the coach for the scenic drive to Cannero Riviera and a brief stop to visit the Parco degli Agrumi with its surprising collection of citrus fruits. Continue to Cannobio, the last town before the Swiss border, famous for its charming lakefront, beautifully restored townhouses and the monumental Santuario della Santissima Pietà; free time for shopping and exploring at leisure.